Reliable manual do-it-yourself potato hiller

Meaning and principle of work

The potato, which is commonly called the second bread, is considered one of the most important agricultural crops in Russia. Potato tubers are widely used in cooking, and potato starch is widely used in the textile, food and paper industries.

Growing this crop requires a lot of time, effort and energy. During the growing season, potatoes are hilled several times. Loosening the soil improves the air exchange process. Oxygen entering the soil has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of crops. According to experienced farmers, yield indicators can increase by 40-60%.

The first hilling is carried out with the appearance of the first shoots. The average height of the shoots is 5–7 cm. The procedure must be repeated when the potato bushes grow up to 20–23 cm. After each rain and watering, the soil must be loosened. The earthen crust formed from the water prevents the ingress of oxygen to the root crops growing in the soil.

Many gardeners act in the old fashioned way, using a hoe to huddle potato bushes. In order to speed up the process of loosening the soil, it is recommended to use a manual hiller.

Video "Do-it-yourself manual hiller for potatoes"

In this video, you will learn how you can quickly make a reliable manual potato ridger.

The main types of devices

There are many models of homemade hillers. Depending on the type of working element, the manual hiller is available with a constant or adjustable working width.

According to the principle of work, hillers can be divided into two groups.

Disk

The manual or disc-type hiller is designed for loosening and hilling the soil. Disc models are often used for automated processing of beds. The device for hilling the beds is attached to the tractor.

The main advantage of a homemade disc cultivator lies in the ability to adjust the tines between the discs. You can install racks in accordance with the row spacing.

Plow type

In terms of its mechanism of action and equipment, the model in the form of a plow is similar to a disc cultivator. But this model of a manual potato hiller is considered more convenient to use. For greater efficiency, the plow-type hiller can be attached to the walk-behind tractor.

The plow for hilling potato beds helps to loosen the soil, huddle potato bushes, cut furrows and beds, plant various crops.

What is required for manufacturing

Every gardener can make a manual hiller with his own hands. In the process of work, you will need a certain set of tools and materials:

• welding machine;
• pipe bender, blowtorch or gas burner;
• gas cutter;
• gas welding station;
• grinder or angle grinder;
• drill with a set of carbide drills for working with metal;
• hollow water pipe with a diameter of 1 inch;
• sheet steel 2-3 mm thick;
• 0.37 in. hollow tube.

Prepare a set of locksmith and construction tools that can be useful for making a homemade hiller.

Step-by-step instruction

You can buy a potato ridger at any gardening store. But why buy something that you can do with your own hands.

It is recommended to use a construction wheelbarrow, a stroller, a tricycle, a bicycle wheel and a tube as the main element. The easiest way is to make a homemade soil cultivator from a children's tricycle. You just need to remove the front wheel and seat, add a plow - a simple hiller is ready for use.

Consider the algorithm for making a manual hiller from an old two-wheeled bicycle:

1. We draw a drawing of a manual potato hiller. Some gardeners doubt the need to make a project diagram, considering this process a waste of time. But having a drawing on hand helps to avoid many assembly errors.
2. Remove dust, debris and rust from your old bike.
3. Use a welding machine to remove the rear of the bike, pedals, saddle. Cut off the steering wheel.
4. Remove the tire and tube from the front wheel. A "bare" metal rim loosens the ground better.
5. Prepare the tractor cultivator section. If it is not possible to get a cultivator from an old tractor, make a plow from metal blades or sheets. The angle of the welding blades in the hand tiller must be straight.
6. Cut off the rear wheel mount. The resulting frame is in the form of a triangle.
7. Place the tractor cultivator section on the cut-off place for mounting the rear wheel. Tighten securely with a wrench.
8. Install a handlebar instead of a saddle. Adjust the height of the handles to suit your height.
9. Weld the front fork tightly so that it does not swing to the sides during operation.

Making a manual potato ridger requires certain skills and knowledge. Do not forget about safety precautions.

In the event of mechanical injury, burns, or electric shock, seek immediate medical attention.